This week in data, we've got a $493M funding round, potential plunging oil prices, and a record 3.3M weekly unemployment claims. Check it out below.

THIS WEEK IN DATA

$6,000+ per capita: The US government passed the largest-ever stimulus package for the country’s economy as it looks to combat the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The $2T initiative, which is the equivalent to over $6,000 of spending per person in the US, includes funding to support individuals, companies, and hospitals, among other measures. The scale of the aid package has led some crypto proponents to think that it could drive up the price of cryptocurrencies as investors look to hedge against the risk of inflation. We look at how Covid-19 has already affected Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in our 2020 Blockchain Report.

3,000%: Weekly applications for employment benefits in the US reached nearly 3.3M last week, shattering previous records, according to the US Labor Department. The spike in claims has been attributed largely to service workers affected by social distancing efforts. The new unemployment claims are spread unevenly across the country, with some states — including Maine and Louisiana — reporting an increase of over 3,000%.

50 years: Swarms of locusts, some reported to be 3x the size of New York City, are sweeping across parts of Africa and the Middle East, with the UN reporting swarms in at least 11 countries this week. The locusts, said to be the biggest swarms seen in 50 years, are threatening food supplies in many countries where Covid-19 could cause an imminent health crisis.

3.3%: Covid-19-targeted social distancing efforts are also slowing down the spread of common illness like the seasonal flu, according to data from smart thermometer startup Kinsa. Anonymous data from the company’s connected thermometers indicated that the share of people in the US with flu-like symptoms was 3.3%, significantly lower than what would be expected from historical data. Emerging medical device tech like wearables and patient monitoring apps could help track and predict future outbreaks. Expert Intelligence clients can see 100+ of the top-funded medical device startups in this market map.

$10 per barrel: The price of oil could drop below $10 per barrel, according to energy research company Rystad. The prediction comes as Saudi Arabia has increased its oil production while global demand dips due to efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Expert Intelligence clients can see 13 AI startups working in the oil and gas industry to help businesses cut costs and run their operations more efficiently.

$493M: Cell therapy startup Lyell closed a $493M financing round. The San Francisco-based company, which has now raised $851M in total disclosed funding, is looking to develop immunotherapies to help treat cancer. Mentions of cell therapy have shot up in earnings calls over the last few years as more companies start pursuing the approach. Clients can see what's being discussed using CB Insights’ earnings calls transcript engine.

$242M: Flying taxi startup Lilium raised $242M. The mega-round, led by China-based tech giant Tencent, is reportedly less than the company was hoping to raise as it works toward launching its vehicles by 2025. We discuss how companies like Lilium are using drone-like technology to create vehicles that could autonomously shuttle humans in our report on 38 ways drones could impact society.

Source: Getty Images

$700M: FuboTV, which streams live content from various networks, is set to merge with “digital human” company Facebank Group, which creates realistic virtual avatars. The deal reportedly values FuboTV at $700M.

555M years: Researchers found a 555M-year-old fossil of a creature they believe to be an early ancestor of a wide range of animals, including humans. The animal, named Ikaria wariootia, is about half the size of a grain of rice and is one of the earliest examples yet found of a bilaterian — a creature with two openings and a connecting gut.